November 6: Day 5~ Puerto Vallarta -

We are in for a crazy day of fun! The PuertoVallarta Outdoor Adventure has been voted the #1 Excursion in the entire world forthe last 3 years.

Puerto Vallarta port

First we took a speedboat ride across the Ocean,to a tiny fishing village


As you can tell from the color of the water, we are pulling into the inlet of the fishing village.We will board all-terrain (Indiana Jones -like :-) vehicles and follow the river up the mountains, to the base camp.


Blue Agave plants ... We have arrived!

A sign of things to come. I am not ashamed to admit that after viewing a couple gargantuan webs, spanning across multiple trees, and a few of these spiders,I am now more scared of the insects than zipping through the sky and helicopter rappeling down trees and mountains.

After signing away our lives, we all get ready to ride some high quality mules. I got the worat one, no exaggeration. We started out near the beginning of the line and ended up dead last. The poor tour guides and caballeros had to keep whistling and urging that lame mule forward. You know it's bad when all the other mules pass yours by and pass gas in her face! I was more concerned about the treacherous pass, and was fine with her taking her own sweet time.

Scott had a much better mule ;-)

Finally! More poor little friend behind me was probably getting tired of trying to carry on conversations in broken English.

He's exalted that he does not need to be behind me any longer.

Quick hike to the top and the first platform

We're all lined up and got ready to go, when Scott pushes me first in line. The guide was astounded. He thought it was a joke. They said after doing this 3-5 x's/day, 365 days/year they have never seen a husband have his wife go first.

But it's a blast and am grateful I don't have to wait around for all the other crazies. I got stuck behind them a little later, so it was nice being the leader for awhile. My guides are impressed. I have to fess up that I did it yesterday in Mazatlan ;-)

It's such a rush!

Here comes Scott!

A couple of our guides from "Team D." They were very professional, yet hilarious and entertaining.

PePe ...little do I know that in a few minutes he's going to drop the rappel line (on purpose, once I am basically to the bottom) so I fall into the pool at the base of the waterfall. It was very cold...and I went completely under. In the words of the great Bugs Bunny,"You know, of course, this means WAR."

A quick rappel down to the top of the waterfall.

Getting ready to head down the waterfall. I still have my little red flowers Feranando gave me for my helmet. I thought they were being sweet until the bugs kept swarming around. They were such teases. It was just like being on Grandpa's farm in the summer again...so fun!

Scott went down first, this time.

He looks like a natural!

Too bad the same cannot be said for his wife. It was a tough choice:embarrassing pictures or documentation for posterity. My desire to document my bravery wins out over any efforts of maintaining a good image.

I wouldn't have been so careful to not slip and get drenched if I knew I was about to go under anyways. After this rappel, there was a short zipline that followed the pool down another very small waterfall, and into another much deeper pool. Another helicopter rappel, lots more ziplines and so much fun! Scott & I had such a blast.

We followed the stream back into camp. Where these gorgeous purple orchids were everywhere.

Not to mention more spiders. Sheesh!

Trust me, many more flowers and spiders were to be found by the restrooms.

Good-bye, little fishing village! You were breathtaking.

Boat ride back to Puerto Vallarta. Passing a famous restaurant

Looks like we are leaving just in time. The clouds are rolling in, the sun is setting and we saw a few dolphins playing in the waves.

Back in port

Quick shower and we're off to dinner

The next 2 days are at Sea. Now that the adventure is over, I'm ready to see the kids again. I hope you have a great birthday, tomorrow, Austin. We love you!